Texas Monarch Flyway Strategy Step by Step Guide to Pollinator Habitat Creation in Texas August 2019 Revised Edition www.HoustonWilderness.org/MFS 1 Authors: Deborah January-Bevers & Jose Alducin © 2019 by Houston Wilderness. All rights reserved 2 Texas Monarch Flyway Strategy (Texas MFS) The Texas Monarch Flyway Strategy (Texas MFS) was created in conjunction with the Texas Parks & Wildlife’s Department’s Monarch Conservation Plan in April, 2016. The Texas MFS concentrates on substantial increases in Monarch populations by working with partners around the state to (1) increase pollinator habitat, (2) provide education and outreach, (3) collaborate with other stakeholders and (4) coordinate pollinator research to assist interested people/partners (see more at houstonwilderness.org/mfs). With the assistance of NFWF Monarch Conservation grant funds and other private funding, the Texas MFS seen success in all four targeted areas, helping to restore, increase and enhance Monarch habitat across four major regions in the state – which all serve as critical links in the Monarch butterfly's journey along the Central Flyway from Canada to Mexico and back every year. By facilitating collaborative funding from various federal, state and regional sources, Houston Wilderness is working with federal and state agencies, biologists, multiple municipalities, private and public land owners, schools and nonprofits to enhance or restore thousands of acres of habitat for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators throughout Texas. With multiple completed and ongoing projects along the Texas MFS, partners are currently collecting various native milkweed and pollinator plant seeds and plugs for distribution to collaborative partners around the state. Current and future partners are also focused on increasing the supply of milkweed seeds and the variety of native pollinator species across all types of property in the state. Texas MFS Pollinator Guide available at houstonwilderness.org/mfs Regional MFS Signage (order free sign at [email protected] The Texas MFS metrics/measurables, to date, with over 50 partners: 3 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH TEXAS MFS By planting a Texas native pollinator garden, you are supporting a network of ecosystem services provided by the Monarch Butterfly. Around 90% of available milkweed and monarch habitats occur in the agricultural landscape. Many of these areas have been compromised due to mowing, use of pesticide/herbicide and natural occurrences like fires. Urban gardens are ways in which you can get involved with the Texas Monarch Flyway Strategy. If you build a pollinator garden with nectar species and/or milkweed, please make sure to submit your project! You will be able to participate as we record the number of Monarch habitat statewide. Visit HoustonWilderness.org/mfs to submit your Monarch garden project! Guidelines to submitting a successful Monarch Project Select a suitable site: Depending on the species that you plant, given your region, generally the ideal place is an area where your plants can get full to partial sunlight throughout the day and well-drained areas. There are no size requirements, but please do record how big your garden is when submitting a project to our website. Locate your garden: It is wise to obtain the Latitude/Longitude location of your garden. This helps ensure that you are selecting adequate native species to your region and it also helps locate your garden on a map. Selecting native pollinator species: Please review our step-by-step guide and plants list to make sure you are selecting the best species for your area. This will also ensure the success of your plants as they will be under their required climate conditions. Upkeeping: Although management requirements may be needed as your garden establishes, it is a good idea to regularly check for invasive weeds, soil moisture, and signs of pests. We discourage the use of harsh pesticides/herbicides as these plants do not tolerate them. Generally, once these plants establish, maintenance is minimum. Reseeding may take place once a year if some of the species you selected are not doing well the first time around. Do keep in mind that these types of plants have a die-back period each year, so it is not uncommon to see these plants dry up and shrink through some seasons. Do not be alarmed. This is part of their natural cycle; the roots remain in the ground and they will come back during their respective blooming season! Name your garden! Although this is not necessary, we take pride in our work and often name our projects so that we can refer to them more easily, particularly in larger areas. Describe your garden: Please describe the species that you planted and their quantity. This helps us get a better understanding of the species being used and helps us verify which plants do particularly well in an area. Take pictures! “A picture is worth a thousand words.” We love to showcase pollinator gardens, particularly during National Pollinator Week every year! Please send pictures of your garden to [email protected]. 4 Note: This guide is meant to provide a general guidance for most types of pollinator habitats in Table of Contents Texas. Some habitat locations may not apply. 1. Step By Step Guide – Ranch, Farm Residential……………………………………………..……………………………………..…6 2. Step by Step Guide – Commercial Locations..………………………….…….………………..……………………………………..7 3. Budget Worksheet for Retail Locations….………….……………………………………..…………………..……...……………… 8 4. Cost Estimator Sheet Example for MFS Partners.…………………..…………………..…………………………………….……9 5. Pre-Planting Consideration for All Types of Areas……………………………………………………………………………… 10 6. Planting Tips: Native Milkweed, Wildflowers and Grasses……………………………………………………………11-12 7. Benefits of Adopting a Pollinator Garden……………………………………………………………………………………. 13 I. Gulf-Houston Region Pollinator Forbs & Milkweed Information…………………………………………..……… 14-19 A: Wildflower Bloom Period……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 15 B: Pollinator Plant List……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 16 C: List Of Houston-Regional Native Seeds/Plants Suppliers……………………………………………………………………. 17-19 II. South Texas Region Pollinator Forbs & Milkweed Information…………………………………………………….. 20 Your Guide To Butterfly Gardening In The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV)..………………………………. 21 Annual And Perennial Plants Of The (LRGV)…..…………………………………………………………………………… 21 III. North Texas Region Pollinator Forbs & Milkweed Information ……………………………………..……………. 22-25 Plants Used In Native Texas Parks……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23-24 Pollinator Plants List…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 25 IV. Hill Country Region Pollinator Forbs & Milkweed Information ……………………………………………..…….. 26-32 The Ann And O.J Weber Butterfly Garden…………………………………………………………………………………… 27-28 Plant A Butterfly Garden……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 39-32 V. Statewide Information for Pollinator Habitat ......................................................................................................... 33-41 Suggested Native Texas Plants For Habitat Gardens ......................................................................................................... 33 Native Host Plants For Southeast Texas ................................................................................................................................. 34 Growing Texas Native Milkweed For The Monarch Butterfly ................................................................................................... 35 How To Plant Milkweed Guide ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Monarch Watch: Plant List .................................................................................................................................................... 37-41 VI. Beware: There May Be Invasive Plants In Your Backyard ............................................................................... 42 Invasives Q&A .................................................................................................................................................................................... 43 5 Step by Step Guide – Ranch, Farm, Residential A. Identify Site Location: (Consider these location characteristics) I. Drainage II. Quality of area III. Invasives IV. Type of soil V. Current conditions of landscape VI. Current and former uses of land VII. Slopes if any B. Timing of Site Preparation for Pollinator Garden I. Fall Start - Begin September with fall pollinator (add Milkweed at same time) II. Spring Start - Begin in December/January with pollinators (April with Milkweed) III. Summer Start - Begin with Milkweed IV. Please refer to attached ‘Planting Tip Sheet’ for further details C. Condition of Landscape (Soil) I. If natives already exist • No need to add nutrients to the soil • Slight tilling of the soil but necessarily needed, particularly if pollinator (stems) are added in addition to seeds II. If Invasives exist – see “Beware of Invasives” on page 41 & 42. III. If lawn grasses (St. Augustine/Bermuda), cover the area. IV. If bare soil or major erosion – add soil and use bricks or media that will deter and mitigate erosion D. Design / Layout of Pollinator Area I. If located in a large landscape, more rural area - a border around the pollinator area may or may not be desired, and a mowed trail or gravel trail through the pollinator area may also be desired. II. If located in a urban/suburban